Syria insurgents use US-made missile launchers, says Russian commander

“We have information that the rebels fighting the Syrian army have shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles of several states, including Stingers made in the United States,” Russian Interfax news agency quoted General Nikolai Makarov as saying on Wednesday.

“We need to still find out who has delivered them,” Makarov added.

    Passenger planes may have been used to deliver the missiles and other weapons to the insurgents, he stated.


“For this all kinds of transport could be activated, including civil aviation. This is a serious matter.”

Recent reports show that the insurgents have admitted to receiving salaries in US dollars from their regional and trans-regional supporters for the battle against the Syrian government.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 and many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.